Gilroy: Diasporic Identity

How does Gilroy suggest racial identities are constructed?

• Gilroy suggests that racial identities are 'historically constructed' with links to colonialism, slavery, nationalist philosophers and consumer capitalism. 

What does Gilroy suggest regarding the causes and history of racism?

• Gilroy suggests that 'Race is not the cause of racism- Racism is not a natural phenomenon' He states that although different races existed they were not cause for oppression but rather it was social influence and historical conflicts caused by racial difference that lead to the concept of Racism. 

What is ethnic absolutism and why is Gilroy opposed to it?

• Ethnic absolutism is 'a line of thinking which sees humans are part of different ethnic compartments, with race as the basis of human differentiation' Gilroy opposes this since it counters his argument that racism causes race. 

How does Gilroy view diasporic identity?

• Gilroy views diasporic identity as 'a movement' that 'cannot be reversed'.

What did Gilroy suggest was the dominant representation of black Britons in the 1980s (when the Voice newspaper was first launched)?

• Gilroy suggested the dominant representation of Black Britons in the 1980s was 'external and estranged from the imagined community that is the nation'

Gilroy argues diaspora challenges national ideologies. What are some of the negative effects of this?

• Diasporic cultures can exist within national ideologies however they become marginalised and associated with minority groups leading to the creation of 'other' and experiences of social exclusion.

Complete the first activity on page 3: How might diasporic communities use the media to stay connected to their cultural identity? E.g. digital media - offer specific examples.

• [DIGITAL] Twitter - #BlackLivesMatter , Indigenous Peoples day, Micro communities of people sharing their own experience as POC. This offers a realistic, unfiltered depiction of every day thoughts and feelings for marginalised communities
• [TRADITIONAL] Newspapers - Offer depictions of real stories however can be limited to rigid stereotypes
• [DIGITAL] Streaming Services/Netflix - Range of shows with BAME characters, choice of representations 

Why does Gilroy suggest slavery is important in diasporic identity?

• Gilroy argues that 'Slavery changed diasporic identity' and is crucial to understanding cultural identities. He also argues slavery's importance to modernity and capitalism. He said that the modern, normalised view of Slavery is vital in the incompatible but rationalised conceptualisation of race and allowed enlightened thinkers to use identity in art and literature.

How might representations in the media reinforce the idea of ‘double consciousness’ for black people in the UK or US?

• There are limited representations of Black people in UK/US media with representations of Black males in particular being primarily rappers, criminals, gang members or athletes. This reinforces the idea of 'double consciousness' as these representations fail to represent the everyday Black experience rather than a selected and manipulated depiction of race. 

Watch the trailer for Hidden Figures and discuss how the film attempts to challenge ‘double consciousness’ and the stereotypical representation of black American women.

• This movie follows 3 of the women, who's maths helped win the 'Space Race' the movie challenges 'double consciousness' by depicting 3 real life women in a way that subverts many of the socially implemented stereotypes of the time. They are presented as strong, intelligent and self providing- subverting the oversexualised, 'low intelligence' stereotypes that are usually used to depict Black women in the media.